Court news

The December Court meeting was dominated by discussion of how to build on the University's recent successes and ensure its long-term academic and financial sustainability.

Campus Tour
In the morning of the December meeting, members took part in a tour of new building works on the city campus. The general impression of those taking the tour was of the scale and quality of the capital projects underway, and of the positive difference this was making to the look and feel of the city campus.

Finances and the Future
The Principal spoke of the significant slowdown in the increase in public spending announced in the Government's pre-budget report. This would undoubtedly affect education, health and social care, and thus a good deal of the University's business. Additionally, the slippage in the spending review to 2007 might also affect resources in the sector. Against this background it was therefore essential that the University perform well in the Research Assessment Exercise 2008. The Principal explained the changes to the RAE system from 2010, which would include a metrics-based system for scientific, technological and medical disciplines. The Court also heard about the Cooksey Report, which, amongst other things, proposed the establishment of a body to co-ordinate funding for medical research: the Office for Strategic Co-ordination of Health Research. As the implications for Scotland were clarified, Dundee might be able to build on its strengths, particularly in translational medical research.

The Court received and approved the draft financial statements for the year ended 31 July 2006. It also received a report from the Director of Finance on measures being taken to improve financial forecasting and controls. The phased introduction of a commitment accounting system along with the development of e-Procurement would contribute to improvements.

Sustainability Review
The Court heard a report from Professor Michael Davies on the progress of the sustainability review. The review group had identified a set of key performance indicators to measure the University's efficiency in its core activities.

The group's analysis of the data and its preliminary findings now needed to undergo a period of due diligence to test their accuracy and reliability alongside consultation with College Heads, before clear proposals were brought to the next meeting. Professor Davies pointed out that the object of the review was not to find a short-term solution, but to ensure the sustainability of the University's activity into the future. There was discussion about savings in the Capital Programme, and the Court learnt that the development of the Campus Green project had been deferred. The Principal noted that, in a more challenging environment, there were difficult decisions to be made.

Capital Developments at Ninewells
The Court received a report from the Director of Strategic Planning on progress with the Clinical Research Centre (CRC) and the Translational Medical Research Centre laboratory (TMRC). Funding for the TMRC was now secure and work would begin shortly. However, whilst construction work was progressing with the CRC, an unsuccessful bid to the Wellcome Trust, modifications to the original footprint of the site, as well as rising construction costs had led to a shortfall in its funding. The Court was presented with a number of options for savings, although it was also made clear that both projects, on contiguous sites, were of prime importance not only to the University's research strategy but also to the Scottish Clinical Research network and to the University's close partnership with NHS Tayside. The Court decided to allow the CRC scheme to progress with a determined effort to raise the additional funds and with the possibility of building the top floor as a shell. Additional costs could be saved by leasing, rather than purchasing, the necessary imaging equipment.

Membership of Court
Subject to ratification at a subsequent meeting and to any modifications required by the Privy Council, the Court unanimously approved amendments to Statute 9 (The Court), limiting the maximum continuous terms of office of the Chancellor's and Rector's Assessors to eight and six years respectively.

Clerk to Court
The Chairman paid tribute to Peter Evans, who was attending his last meeting as Clerk to Court, before fully taking up his new post as Secretary to the College of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing. Dr Neale Laker, previously Deputy Director of Registry, would take over as Clerk to Court in the New Year.